Times have changed 

How times have changed!!! Once upon a time not so long ago people used all their limbs and body parts on a daily basis to get through their day,simply because there were no gadgets and machines to help them with their daily chores. So, they drew water from the well, brought firewood from the woodlands and forests, grew vegetables, tended to the garden, looked after the livestock and watered the plants and cleaned the house, clothes and vessels in which they cooked. They even grew their own food grains and vegetables.

So, all in all they lead a busy life that included a lot of healthy activity combined with a healthy diet. No wonder that they remained active and healthy all through their life without any major complications except the normal wear and tear which too remained minimal because their limbs remained oiled and well maintained because of all the activities. My own grandmother used to climb cashew trees at the age of eighty to pluck cashew fruits which she would eat daily during season. I doubt if she visited a doctor for any serious illness other than, maybe flu!

Coming to modern days and times, when we look around we see some people barely in their early to mid-forties suffering from joint pains, moaning and groaning, unable to move around without support. It is very difficult for them to go about their daily chores without some help. One cannot think of any of these youngsters, who painfully drag their over blown bodies and creaking joints to the lift, climb up stairs, run a marathon or  climb trees or do a vigorous workout in the gym or play a game of tennis or football. They either do not have the time for any of the outdoor activities mentioned and even when they have, they prefer to sleep and rest because they do not have the energy to do so.

Where does the problem lie? Is it because of changed, more relaxed and comfortable lifestyles that combines lack of proper exercise and a rich diet? or is it because proper care was not taken and a more disciplined lifestyle, which should have been inculcated right from childhood was not given due importance or a combination of these and many other factors as well?

Some reasons behind both temporary and constant pain in the joints

We all have some pains and aches from time to time but when joint pains and aches become chronic especially in young people, you need to worry and look for the reason as to why it is there in the first place. It could be because of any of the following reasons. According to a national survey, about one-third of adults reported having joint pain at some stage or the other. But more importantly more than 50% of that number had chronic pain in their joints.

In fact, Knee pain was the most common complaint, followed by shoulder and hip pain, but joint pain can affect any part of your body at any stage from your ankles and feet to your shoulders and hands. As you get older, painful joints become increasingly more common.

1. When you pull a muscle while either exercising or because you tripped or had a fall or due to strains, sprains, and other injuries. It could extend to your joint as well and make the entire area sore and tender for several days or even weeks at times depending on your system.

2. In older people it could be because of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, or gout. These are again lifestyle diseases that affect only those who have been negligent about their health.

3. It could also be caused because of obesity. Most people who are overweight tend to have more aches and pains than those who are trim and fit.Their legs and midriffs are unable to carry the excess weight which makes them slouch or bend to balance themselves. This irregular posture leads to joint pain in those areas where the excess weight tends to get concentrated.

What measures can one take to reduce the pain or even get complete relief from joint pain?

A. When it is a case of temporary discomfort caused by either a fall or accident, all that you can do is take the prescribed medication and take care to see that you don't exert or put too much pressure on the joints and wait for it to heal, which may take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to 3-6 months if the sprain is deep. This is also a time to evaluate an make corrections if any needed in your walking style or exercise routine.

B. If it is a far more serious condition like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis or some such condition, again consulting the physician is very essential and also taking the necessary medication and do the prescribed physiotherapy. Most people take medication since it is easy to follow but go easy on Physiotherapy, which they give up after a few sessions.  Physiotherapy, in fact has helped many suffering from arthritis to get over severe joint pain and lead a relatively active life. An active lifestyle in fact makes sure that your joints remain in perfect condition and even when there is an accident, your joints are able to withstand much more because of the flexibility and strength that is developed over a long period of time. 

C. These days we see that a large percentage of working people hardly have any exercise and have to stay cooped in front of the computer or in front of their desks for hours together at a stretch. This is one major cause for joint pain in youngsters because of inactivity and this also leads to weight gain which compounds the problem to a great extent. If neglected it can lead to many more related problems before you hit 45. So, making sure that you remain fit and active goes a long way in making sure that your joints remain pain free. A healthy and a sensible diet too plays an important part in our lifestyle, giving us an edge.

Conclusions

Joint pains can be extremely painful robbing you of leading a carefree active life. If neglected and proper corrective measures are not taken in time, you may need to go in for expensive surgery or may lead to some other complications. So, it is imperative and very essential that the moment you feel pain anywhere, you dispassionately look at your own life style and make sure that you make the necessary changes so that things can work better and in your favor.

As in all health related issues, a balanced healthy diet within limits, cutting down on fats and excessive carbohydrates and making sure that you get enough exercise and physical activity each day is the only remedy you have for keeping pains and aches at bay.

So, if you are an officer goer with very little time left for daily exercise, try to incorporate some activity into your life on a daily basis like taking a walk during lunch break and if possible after office hours, even a 10-minute walk can help. Making sure that you indulge in some physical activity, spending time outdoors during the weekend with friends and family not only helps your joints remain fit without creaking, it also help you bond better with people around you.